Dr. Greg Skipper is the creator of the Seasons’ Executive Program, called the Center for Professional Recovery (CPR), a unique addiction program developed especially for individuals who work in high-level and safety-sensitive positions. Learn more about Dr. Skipper, how he created the Executive Program, and how it is unique for Seasons in particular.
About Dr. Greg Skipper
Dr. Skipper started his career as an internal medicine physician. His life and career changed abruptly when he became addicted to opioids following a knee injury and surgery in 1981. It was during this process of his own treatment and recovery that he became interested in addiction medicine. He ended up volunteering with the state medical association program to help fellow doctors in distress. He enjoyed this volunteer work so much that he eventually decided to make addiction medicine his new career path. Dr. Skipper became board certified in addiction medicine, alongside his internal medicine credentials.
His primary interest lay in helping other professionals like himself. He was appointed by the Oregon Medical Board to help develop the first Physician Health Program in Oregon. Dr. Skipper later accepted the job of directing the Physician Health Program for the Alabama Medical Board, which he did for 12 years. During that time he participated in research and published seminal articles regarding outcomes for physicians in recovery. Dr. Skipper also developed the use of a new alcohol marker, ethylglucuronide (EtG), now the standard test for monitoring alcohol. He has published over 100 articles regarding physician health and drug and alcohol testing. In 2011 Dr. Skipper came to California, where he now runs CPR at Seasons which specializes in the treatment of health professionals, attorneys, and other highly motivated and accomplished adults).
What is the Center for Professional Recovery?
The ASAM Criteria contains a chapter regarding the treatment of safety-sensitive workers – such as doctors, police officers, and judges – and how their treatment must involve peers and special programs that can address their specific needs. CPR is selective and only accepts highly motivated individuals who have had success in their careers and want to return to work and who desire to maintain long-term recovery. The program is designed to address the therapeutic needs of professionals and executives.
The program is ideal for any professional whose substance use has negatively affected his or her work, health, family or overall wellbeing. The treatment program also addresses the demands and pressures placed on licensed professionals by guiding them towards a process of addiction recovery and facilitates their efforts to return to professional practice.
How is the Executive Program Unique?
While there are only about 8-10 other programs in the country-oriented toward professionals, CPR is the only program that focuses solely on this population. All the other professionals programs tend to have a track for professionals within a larger program. Dr. Skipper’s program is especially unique and thoroughly prepares its clients for life after treatment.
Prepare for Life After Treatment
The Center for Professional Recovery at Seasons understands that it can be difficult for professionals to return to work. The program curriculum includes topics such as, “who should you disclose to, to who and what do you say about your absence from work, and how to answer questions on work-related applications. Roleplay and mock interviews are utilized to help patients learn how to respond in hearings, medical board interviews, job interviews, and other types of experiences they will face.
No Fixed Length of Stay
Unlike the typical addiction treatment program, CPR is focused less on the duration of treatment and more on obtaining optimal results. Therefore CPR has a variable duration of treatment rather than a fixed length of stay. Dr. Skipper says, “No other disease is treated based on a fixed length of treatment. For example, it would be considered ridiculous to have a 10-day heart attack program. Likewise, substance use disorder treatment should be based on progress rather than time.” Thus the program duration varies for each patient based on their needs.
Clients are Treated Like Adults
Unlike many treatment programs with widely diverse populations that must have rigid rules such as prohibiting cell phone or laptop use, CPR treats its clients like adults. Since professionals tend to be more motivated, rules are a bit more relaxed than other treatment programs, which allows for a better treatment experience for many.
About Seasons in Malibu
If you or your loved one is a doctor, law enforcement officer, lawyer, accountant, high-profile actor or musician, dentist, or another type of high-level professional, your best bet for successful long-term recovery is through a program like CPR. Participate in treatment with other like-minded individuals and get the confidentiality and privacy you need.
Treatment at Seasons in Malibu is systemic, integrative and client-centered. The philosophy is grounded in the understanding that in order for the client to heal, the entire system needs the opportunity to heal along with them. The pressure to “fix” the client can become overwhelming and unrealistic if the underlying issues are not examined, including dynamics and environmental influences that contribute to substance abuse or ongoing mental health issues. Whenever practical, the program includes loved ones in sessions and in the entire process of recovering from addiction and/or addressing mental health issues. Our therapists are invested in your well-being and are ready around-the-clock to guide you or a trusted friend or family member through the initial steps of overcoming a substance use disorder and any associated mental health problem.
With our superior team of doctorate-level clinicians, experienced in working with professionals, we are able to succinctly pinpoint areas of focus which will give our patients the best opportunity for success. Our approach towards healing is collaborative, comprehensive and committed.
